Mark James has been saying it for two years. He knew that his Boyd Anderson Cobra football team had something special, and now, schools such as Cypress Bay, Plantation, Ely and Deerfield Beach understand what the coach has been talking about.
While they lost to the two-time defending national champion Lakeland Dreadnaughts earlier this season, the Cobras have been now put into gear as the district playoffs are on the horizon.
In five days, James and his impressive team beat district rival Plantation, and then knocked off previously unbeaten Deerfield Beach in a No. 2 vs. No. 7 Class 6A contest.
On a team where there are impressive seniors such as highly recruited running back Chris Anderson, defensive back Kevin Claxon, safety Joseph Wiley, receiver Chris Bynes and versatile Tyrone Brantley, who has come up with huge plays in three of the Cobras’ wins, there are also some other players who have been stealing the show.
Senior running back Derrick Warthen and defensive lineman Tarus Thomas are also athletes who helped the Cobras. So have junior quarterback Kenny Graham, receivers Travis Reynolds, running back Tyrone Hughes, quarterback/running back Jackie Wilson, defensive lineman Marues Aiken and linebacker James Myers.
Sophomores such as impressive receiver Steven Green and defensive back Demar Dorsey, and freshman defensive back Herzel Glashen are also athletes who will keep this team in the spotlight.
In an area known for producing talent, Lauderdale Lakes has relied on its feeder program. For years, the Lauderdale Lakes Vikings youth football program has been one of the best in the country, producing players such as New England Patriots’ standout Asante Samuel, Tony Bown and Bennie Sapp. Boyd Anderson continues to tap into that pipeline that has this program in a position to be competitive for years to come.
James also has a quality coaching staff that knows the players and the community. Carol Klein, Lawal McCray, Herb Bynes, Clinton Hawkins, Jason Jackson, Clifford Bush, Toriano Morgan and Delvin Randolph.
BCAA FOOTBALL BANTER:
* ST. THOMAS AQUINAS VS. MCARTHUR: Junior quarterback Ryan Becker, senior running back Jeremiah Harden and sophomore standout Govanni Bernard all were instrumental in the 42-7 win by the Raiders at home. St. Thomas held the Mustangs to 104 total yards.
* DOUGLAS VS. TARAVELLA: Quarterback David Noshay, who led all rushers with 87 yards on 12 carries, broke the scoreless tie with a 12-yard run with 1:51 left in the third quarter, capping a 99-yard, nine-play drive. Noshay completed a 65-yard shovel pass to Chris Robinson on a third-and-4 to highlight the drive, giving the Eagles a 12-0 win and secure a playoff spot. Noshay led the Eagles (6-2, 2-1) with 150 yards passing, completing 14 of 28 attempts and no interceptions.
Bobby Pina added field goals of 38 and 40 yards in the fourth quarter to complete the score. Pina even recovered a squib kick that bounced off a Taravella player on the ensuing kickoff.
* DILLARD VS. CORAL GLADES: Junior Trabis Ward ran for 32 yards to lead the Panthers to a 5-0 district record and a 27-6 win over Coral Glades. The Panthers defense dominated the entire game, sacking the Jaguars quarterback four times, returning an interception and a fumble for touchdowns, and blocking an extra-point attempt.
* COOPER CITY VS. WESTERN: The Cowboys, who need to beat Hollywood Hills this week to have a chance to make the playoffs, had an outstanding effort in a 45-30 victory in the 24th Annual Hog Bowl. Cooper City (6-2, 2-2 in District 16-5A) took advantage of several miscues by Western and built a 25-6 halftime lead.
Erik Applegate hit Geoffrey Turnquest with a 71-yard touchdown pass, and Applegate scored on a 5-yard run to stake Cooper City to a 38-6 lead through three quarters.
Cooper City took an 8-0 lead after Clemente Irie blocked a punt on Western's opening possession. One play later, Aaron Johnson scored from 15 yards out. Quarterback Applegate scored on a two-point run.
After Applegate and fullback Sean Curtis botched a handoff on the Cowboys' next possession, the Wildcats took possession at the Cooper City 6. Two plays later, Brian Maughn found Corwin Mitchell for a 12-yard touchdown.
* EVEN IN THE MUCK: With a few college coaches watching the district battle between Riviera Beach Suncoast and Cardinal Gibbons, senior kicker Blair Walsh, who is headed to the University of Georgia, continue to put on a show.
Walsh booted a 52-yard field goal (his third 50 plus this year) in the rain and mud, prompting one of the coaches to proclaim that the “University of Georgia certainly has a kid who can kick in all conditions.”
Want to know more about high school football? Check Larry Blustein’s weekly evaluations at www.floridafb.com. He also is part of the Dolphin Gridiron Radio Show each Thursday night (9-10) on WQAM-AM (560 AM). You can also reach him via E-Mail at Floridakids1@hotmail.com.
